End core for rolls of paper

ABSTRACT

An end core for mounting in opposite ends of a roll of paper for rotatably supporting same has concentric inner and outer substantially cylindrical walls connected at one end by an end wall with a portion extending beyond the outer wall to form an annular flange. The end wall, flange and inner and outer walls have a radial slot extending longitudinally of the core. Reinforcing members are circumferentially spaced and extend radially between the inner and outer core walls with a pair of the reinforcing members being in facing relation with facing surfaces aligned with the slot. The core structure and slot permit contraction for insertion into a roll of paper and then expansion of the core into tight engagement with the inner convolution of the paper roll.

' United States Patent [72] inventor Herbert Arenson Shawnee Mission,Kans. [21 App]. No. 829,31 1 [22] Filed June 2, 1969 [45] Patented Mar.2, 1971 [73] Assignee United States Caster Corporation Overland Park,Kans.

[54] END CORE FOR ROLLS OF PAPER 118.61, 68.5; 206/59 (F), 59 (M), 59(E), 59 (A),

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,9l9,769 7/1933 Brown et a]242/68.6

2,267,126 12/1941 Moretti 242/11861 FOREIGN PATENTS 769,574 10/1967Canada 242/68.6

1,430,768 l/l966 France 242/1 18.61

Primary ExaminerGeorge F. Mautz Att0rneyFishburn, Gold and LitmanABSTRACT: An end core for mounting in opposite ends of a roll of paperfor rotatably supporting same has concentric inner and outersubstantially cylindrical walls connected at one end by an end wall witha portion extending beyond the outer wall to form an annular flange. Theend wall, flange and inner and outer walls have a radial slot extendinglongitudinally of the core. Reinforcing members are circumferentiallyspaced and extend radially between the inner and outer core walls with apair of the reinforcing members being in facing relation with facingsurfaces aligned with the slot. The core structure and slot permitcontraction for insertion into a roll of paper and then expansion of thecore into tight engagement with the inner convolution of the paper roll.

I PATENTEU m 2I97| I 3.567. 146

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS END CORE FOR ROLLS OFlPAPER The present invention relatestoend cores for rolls of paper and more particularly to an end coreadapted to maintain inner layers of the roll of paper in tension androtatably support same.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide an endcore for mounting in opposite ends of a roll of paper and resilientlyengaging same for rotatably supporting same; to provide such an end coreadapted to maintain inner layers of the roll of paper in tension; toprovide such an end core adapted to be maintained in compression wheninstalled in one end of the roll of paper; to provide such an end corehaving an end wall adapted to engage one end of the roll of paper and anouter core wall adapted to maintain positive engagement with the innerlayer of the roll of paper; to provide such an end core having a crownedend wall adapted to serve as a bearing for rotatably supporting avertical roll of paper for dispensing therefrom; and to provide such anend core which is economical to manufacture, easily installed in rollsof paper, and particularly well suited for the proposed use. Otherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawingswherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certainembodiments of this inven tion.

FIG l is an elevational view of a vertical roll of paper having endcores therein which embody features of the present invention.

FIG 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the end cores.

FIG 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of the end core.

FIG 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG 3.

FIG is an elevational view of a vertical roll of paper having a modifiedend core in'each end thereof.

FIG 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the modified end core. x

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a hollow roll of paperhaving an end core 2 placed in opposite ends thereof for rotatablysupporting the roll of paper 1.

The end core 2 has a generally annular end wall 3 having an innerperipheral edge 4 forming a centrally positioned circular aperturetherein. An elongated slot 5 extends radially between the innerperipheral edge 4 and an outer peripheral edge 6 of the end wall 3,thereby defining opposite ends of the end wall 3.

Concentric inner and outer core walls 7 and 8, respectively, areconnected to and extend from the end wall 3. The outer core wall 8 isnormally of a size slightly larger than the interior size of the hollowroll of paper l which is adapted to receive the end core 2 therein. Aninner periphery or inner surface 9 of the inner core wall 7 registerswith the inner peripheral edge 4 of the end wall 3 and the outer corewall 8 is positioned adjacent the outer peripheral edge 6 of the endwall 3 defining a lip or annular flange 10 extending substantiallyradially outwardly from the outer core wall 8 for engaging an end of theroll of paper 1. The inner and outer core walls 7 and 8 each have fixedends 11 and 12, respectively, connected to the end wall 3 and free ends13 and 14, respectively. End edges of the inner and outer core walls 7and 8 terminate at the slot 5 in the end wall 3 thereby defininglongitudinal slots through the core walls which extend longitudinallyfor the length thereof.

Reinforcement members 15 are circumferentially spaced and extendradially between the inner and outer core walls 7 and 8, with a pair ofthe reinforcing members 15 being in facing relation with facing surfacesaligned with the slot 5 thereby defining an elongated radial slotthrough the end core 2. The radial slot extends longitudinally for thelength of the inner and outer core walls 7 and 8 thereby permitting thefacing reinforcing members 15 to move toward and away from each other tovary the exterior diameter of the end core 2.

The end wall 3 forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of theend core 2 whereby the inner peripheral edge 4 of the end wall 3 isoutwardly of a plane extending through the outer peripheral edge 6 andnormal to the inner and outer core walls 7 and 8.

When the roll of paper I is placed in a vertically standing I osition,the end core 2 will support the weight of the roll of paper 1 on the endwall 3 and the inner core wall 7. Paper may be dispensed from the rollof paper 1 with the end core 2 func tioning as a bearing member forrotatably supporting the roll of paper 1.

The inner peripheral surface of the outer core wall 8 is spaced at aconstant radius from the longitudinal axis of the end core 2 and thethickness of the outer core wall 8 gradually reduces from the fixed end12 to the free end 114 and the outer core wall 8, therefore, has agreater exterior diameter at the fixed end 12 than at the free end 14.Placing the end core 2 in one end of the roll of paper 1 moves thefacing reinforcing members 15 toward each other, thereby reducing thetransverse dimension of the'slot 5 and the spacing between the facingreinforcing members 15.

The end core 2 is formed of a suitable resilient material, whereby theend core 2 attempts to regain its original shape, thereby placing theinner layer of the roll of paper 1 in tension through frictionalengagement between the exterior surface of the outer core wall 8 and theinner layersof paper.

In use, the outer core wall 8 is squeezed thereby reducing the diameterthereof prior to placing the end core 2 in the hollow roll of paper 1.The normal or relaxed exterior diameter of the outer core wall 8 isslightly larger than the interior diameter of the hollow roll of paperI, therefore, when the end core 2 is within the roll of paper 1, the endcore 2 will be maintained in compression and the inner layers of paperwill be placed in tension. The roll of paper 1 may be rotatably mountedin a horizontal position by extending an elongated shaft or rod (notshown) through the end cores 2 placed therein. When the roll of paper 1is vertical and supported on the end core 2, the end wall 3 will serveas a bearing for rotating the roll of paper for dispensing papertherefrom.

FIG 6 illustrates a modified end core 16 having a generally planar endwall 17, whereby rolls of paper having the modified end core 16 inopposite ends thereof may be stacked vertically. The modified end core16 also has an annular flange 18 which extends radially outwardly froman outer core wall 19 for engaging an end of the roll of paper, wherebythe end wall 17 is positioned outwardly of the end of the respectiveroll of paper, thereby permitting the roll of paper 1 to be rotated onthe modified end core 16 as a bearing.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and describedcertain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specificforms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown,

lclaim:

1. An end core for application to a hollow roll of paper comprising:

a. concentric inner and outer generally cylindrical walls, said outerwall normally being of a size slightly larger than the interior size ofa hollow roll of paper adapted to receive same;

. an end wall connecting one end of each of said inner and outerconcentric walls and extending outwardly of the outer wall in an annularflange for engaging the end of a roll of paper;

. a radial slot through said end wall and an elongated slot through saidinner and outer concentric walls, said elongated slots through saidinner and outer concentric walls extending longitudinally for the lengththereof; and

d. a plurality of circumferentially spaced reinforcing ribs connectingsaid inner and outer walls with a rib on each side of said slot.

2. The end core as set forth in claim I wherein:

a. said end wall is substantially normal to said inner and outerconcentric walls; and i b. said end wall is a generally planar memberwhereby rolls of paper having the end core in opposite ends thereof maybe stacked vertically.

3. The end core as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said end wall is positioned to form an acute angle with thelongitudinal axis of said inner and outer concentric walls; and

b. said inner wall has an inner periphery thereof in registry with aninner edge of said end wall whereby said end wall and inner wall supporta vertically standing roll of paper and said roll of paper turns on theend core as a bearing.

4. The end core as set forth in claim 3 wherein; said outer wall has agreater exterior diameter at a fixed end mounted on said end wall thanat a free end whereby said facing reinforcing ribs are urged toward eachother upon placing the end core in one end ofa roll of paper therebymaintaining the end core in compression and the inner layers of paper intension.

5. The end core as set forth in claim 3 wherein; said outer wall has agradually reducing thickness from a fixed end mounted on said end walltoward a free end whereby said facing reinforcing members are urgedtoward each other upon placing the end core in one end of a roll ofpaper thereby maintaining the end core in compression and the innerlayers of paper in tension.

6. An end core for application to a hollow roll of paper comprising:

a. concentric inner and outer core walls, said inner and outer corewalls being generally cylindrical walls, said outer core wall normallybeing of a size slightly larger than an interior size of a hollow rollof paper adapted to receive same;

b. an end wall connecting one end of said inner and outer core walls;

c. a slot extending radially through said end wall;

d. a slot extending longitudinally through said inner and outer corewalls, said slots through said inner and outer core walls being alignedwith said slot through said end wall; and

e. a plurality of reinforcing members connecting said inner and outercore walls for maintaining said core walls substantially concentric.

7. The end core as set forth in claim 6 wherein;

a. said reinforcing members are circumferentially spaced planar ribsextending radially between said inner and outer core walls; and

b. a pair of said reinforcing members are positioned with facingsurfaces aligned with said slots through said inner and outer corewalls.

8. The end core as set forth in claim 7 wherein; said outer wall ispositioned radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of said endwall thereby forming a lip for engaging an end ofa roll of paper havingthe end core therein.

1. An end core for application to a hollow roll of paper comprising: a.concentric inner and outer generally cylindrical walls, said outer wallnormally being of a size slightly larger than the interior size of ahollow roll of paper adapted to receive same; b. an end wall connectingone end of each of said inner and outer concentric walls and extendingoutwardly of the outer wall in an annular flange for engaging the end ofa roll of paper; c. a radial slot through said end wall and an elongatedslot through said inner and outer concentric walls, said elongated slotsthrough said inner and outer concentric walls extending longitudinallyfor the length thereof; and d. a plurality of circumferentially spacedreinforcing ribs connecting said inner and outer walls with a rib oneach side of said slot.
 2. The end core as set forth in claim 1 wherein:a. said end wall is substantially normal to said inner and outerconcentric walls; and b. said end wall is a generally planar memberwhereby rolls of paper having the end core in opposite ends thereof maybe stacked vertically.
 3. The end core as set forth in claim 1 wherein:a. said end wall is positioned to form an acute angle with thelongitudinal axis of said inner and outer concentric walls; and b. saidinner wall has an inner periphery thereof in registry with an inner edgeof said end wall whereby said end wall and inner wall support avertically standing roll of paper and said roll of paper turns on theend core as a bearing.
 4. The end core as set forth in claim 3 wherein;said outer wall has a greater exterior diameter at a fixed end mountedon said end wall than at a free end whereby said facing reinforcing ribsare urged toward each other upon placing the end core in one end of aroll of paper thereby maintaining the end core in compression and theinner layers of paper in tension.
 5. The end core as set forth in claim3 wherein; said outer wall has a gradually reducing thickness from afixed end mounted on said end wall toward a free end whereby said facingreinforcing members are urged toward each other upon placing the endcore in one end of a roll of paper thereby maintaining the end core incompression and the inner layers of paper in tension.
 6. An end core forapplication to a hollow roll of paper comprising: a. concentric innerand outer core walls, said inner and outer core walls being generallycylindrical walls, said outer core wall normally being of a sizeslightly larger than an interior size of a hollow roll of paper adaptedto receive same; b. an end wall connecting one end of said inner andouter core walls; c. a slot extending radially through said end wall; d.a slot extending longitudinally through said inner and outer core walls,said slots through said inner and outer core walls being aligned withsaid slot through said end wall; and e. a plurality of reinforcingmembers connecting said inner and outer core walls for maintaining saidcore walls substantially concentric.
 7. The end core as set forth inclaim 6 wherein: a. said reinforcing members are circumferentiallyspaced planar ribs extending radially between said inner and outer corewalls; and b. a pair of said reinforcing members are positioned withfacing surfaces aligned with said slots through said inner and outercore walls.
 8. The end core as set forth in claim 7 wherein; said outerwall is positioned radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge ofsaid end wall thereby forming a lip for engaging an end of a roll ofpaper having the end core therein.